Results 39,161-39,180 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: On a procedural point, I note that there is no clock for the Chairman. Before we finish, there were numerous allegations made for quite a considerable amount of time at the start of this meeting by committee members about the availability of NPHET, myself and the Department. I would like the opportunity to address them if I may.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: With the greatest respect, the allegations were not in writing.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Deputy. I will get that note for the Deputy and there will be no problem with it. I have not seen the HSE response but I am familiar with the language of "permanent workforce". My understanding is that that is the language for differentiating from the seconded workforce. It would not be making sense because we hope that as soon as possible this will not be needed . I fully...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I could not agree more. We have to take it seriously, particularly as we come into the winter months. This is going to be-----

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Chair and the committee. This has been a useful session. The various frustrations aired by members were new to me so I will set the record straight. I have been a member of Oireachtas committees for ten years, including in times of crisis across various sectors. I am a strong advocate of Parliament and the role of Parliament in holding Government to account and doing all the...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I, the Department and others have gone out of our way to make ourselves available and will continue to do so.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: That would have been absolutely fine.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: There is ongoing consideration given by the Government to policy in relation to the management of Covid-19 in school settings. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has published Guidance for Educational Settings relating to the management of Covid-19 in school settings. This guidance, which includes protocols relating to the management of close contacts, is available...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Third Level Education (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: In relation to the particular query raised, this is a matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Education Costs (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: In relation to the particular query raised, this is a matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. 

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 752 and 753 together. In March 2020, the European Commission decided to create a strategic rescEU stockpile of medical equipment, such as ventilators and protective masks, to help EU countries in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The stockpile is jointly hosted by a number (currently six) of EU member states, which are  responsible for procuring,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 755, 756 and 757 together. The electronic COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form (ePLF) was launched in an online format for passengers arriving into Ireland on or after 26 August 2020. SI 181/2020 provides for a number of offences related to the passenger locator form. The role of the Passenger Locator Form contact centre is to refer people where an offence is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure and has advised that funding has been provided to progress the Day Procedures/Endoscopy, Oncology and Physical Therapy Unit at Naas General Hospital in 2020, and specifically capital funding has been made available to appoint technical consultants to progress the project....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Capital Expenditure Programme (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: The capital allocation in 2020 for the construction and equipping of public health facilities is now €976m. This includes an increase in capital funding of €202m for emergency measures in response to COVID-19 in 2020. I am working with the Health Service Executive to develop a capital plan for the health services for 2020. My Department and the Health Service Executive...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Medical Services Scheme (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 762, 780, 783, 920, 955 and 976 together. I am aware of the difficulties that the current Covid-19 pandemic poses for the dental profession. My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, is examining the issue of the provision of PPE across all parts of the health service, including health service contractors. The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS)...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 764, 792, 795, 800, 811, 812, 824, 831, 856, 865, 888, 911, 925 and 964 together. I acknowledge that the current restrictions in maternity hospitals are presenting difficulties and this is hugely regrettable. However, it is necessary to reduce footfall in order to protect women, babies, staff and our maternity service as a whole. Maternity hospitals...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (29 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: At the start of the year, permanent adult critical care capacity in Ireland stood at 255 beds, according to the National Office of Clinical Audit. This included 204 Level 3 ICU beds and 51 Level 2 HDU beds. Funding for a further 40 adult critical care beds and two paediatric critical care beds was provided as part of the response to Covid-19 in March 2020. Surge capacity supports the...